Bike Snob NYC spent three days scootering around Portland, Oregon, to determine, once and for all, whether the now infamous tiny wheeled contraptions are a scourge on our cities—or whether they’re damned convenient and laughably benign

Scooters. Tiny electric scooters.

No doubt you’ve heard how dockless, shareable scooters have been destroying cities like a swarm of mechanical locusts. They first started making national news in spring 2018 after a backlash in San Francisco, where residents claimed that people on scooters were commandeering the bike lanes, littering the sidewalks with abandoned steeds, and menacing children and old people with their scofflaw behavior. San Francisco subsequently banned the scooters pending the implementation of a new permitting process; one critic even called them “a plot of the young people to kill off all us old farts so they can have our rent-controlled apartments.”

As a cyclist and car skeptic, I found myself scoffing: to me, whining about people on electric scooters in a country that sees 40,000 road deaths per year seemed like complaining about in-flight entertainment while the cockpit’s on fire. At the same time, as a New Yorker, I had no firsthand experience with shared scooters (our City Council is currently drafting a bill to allow them but who knows if or when they’ll actually arrive), so I couldn’t discount the possibility that maybe I had no idea what I was talking about. Maybe they really were a menace.

Get inspired to travel to remote destinations around the world with our travel partner, Outside GO. They'll help you plan your next custom trip and answer all your questions to make faraway adventures a breeze.

Over the past few decades, climber and wingsuit pilot Steph Davis has established herself as one of the most innovative and fearless adventurers in the world. Even more impressive? She isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Our Mission

To inspire active participation in the world outside through award-winning coverage of the sports, people, places, adventure, discoveries, health and fitness, gear and apparel, trends and events that make up an active lifestyle.

Privacy Notice: Our site uses cookies for advertising, analytics and to improve our sites and services. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. For more information, including how to change your settings, see our
tracking tools policy.

Sourced from the world’s top mills and tanneries, the men’s collection features a sophisticated selection of expertly constructed clothing and outerwear designed exclusively...